Boys track and field: Tars show off team power

Steve Virgen

NEWPORT BEACH - The team concept was on display at Newport Harbor

High School Wednesday. The Sailors’ boys track and field team showed the

power of collectiveness as they took down visiting Laguna Hills, 98-34,

in a Sea View League meet.

Newport (6-0, 2-0 in league), ranked No. 7 in CIF Southern Section

Division II, quickly rebounded from its disqualification in the 400-meter

relay. The Tars then took top honors in all but three events, including a

sweep in the 1,600, 3,200 and 300 hurdles.

The victory also marked Newport’s first home win of the season as

Tars’ sprinters, hurdlers and distance runners took to the dirt track for

the first time.

“Training on this track is certainly more challenging (than a rubber

track),” Harbor boys track and field Coach Bim Barry said. “It’s kind of

a holiday when we get on other surfaces.”

Newport had been making the most of its times in its first five

victories at Santa Margarita, Corona del Mar, Huntington Beach and

Irvine.

The track events provided an upgraded challenge as the runners went up

against the dirt and the wind. Harbor senior John Peschelt answered the

challenge with wins in the 400 (53.5), 800 (2:05.1) and he anchored the

victorious 1,600 relay team. He also won the high jump (5-foot-10).

Last week at Irvine, the 1,600 relay team of Dan Moyer, Sean Tupy,

Dede Johnson and Peschelt finished in 3:38.3 and at Newport they

completed the event in 3:38.6.

In the 1,600 sophomore Alec Urtusuastegui, junior Jesus Santana and

senior Chris McMillen finished at the same time, unofficially, as Santana

and McMillen decided to give the sophomore the win.

“If it’s our group, it doesn’t matter who wins,” said Santana, who won

the 3,200 (10:01.00). “It’s like we’re winning as a team when we win

together.’

Said Barry, “These guys have been together since the cross country

season. They’re together full-time ... In the distance events, you have

some additional camaraderie.”

The teamwork also ran its course in the hurdles, but in a friendly

competitive method. Harbor seniors Moyer and Tupy earned the Sailors more

points with their 1-2 finish in the 110 and 300 hurdles.

Tupy won the 110 hurdles (16.1) after he came from behind and, in

jest, pulled out his six-shooters when he crossed the finish line.

“It’s just kind of nice to take him down once in a while,” Tupy said.

“This was the first time I finished with this great of distance in front

of him so I just went with the flow (and pulled out the guns).”

Moyer answered back when he took the 300 hurdles (41.6).

“We’re always back and forth,” Moyer said. “We’re usually happy for

each other as long as we finish 1 and 2.”

Newport first-place finishes also included Johnson in the 200 (23.3),

Dave Sprenger in the long jump (21-1 1/4) and Dave Marshall won the

discus (131-10).